Shelter Kitten Watched Siblings Get Adopted—Days Later, Everything Changed

Newsweek

5 hours ago

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
After adopting two kittens from a local rescue, a couple couldn't stop thinking about the one sibling left behind, so they immediately went back for him.
A viral Reddit post shared on Wednesday under the username u/EvergreenHulk, shows the newest addition to the couple's home, a small tabby kitten with big green eyes. The caption says: "We left him at the shelter Friday when we adopted his brothers. We returned and brought Loki home today."
The poster, Mark, told Newsweek that they were a four-cat home until they lost their 14-year-old girl Max in April 2024, and then her brother Baloo at 16 years old in May 2025, so he and his wife decided it was time to rescue some new kitties.
"Last week, my wife saw a Facebook post from the Friends of Montcalm County Animal Control. They had three male kittens left from a litter of five to adopt. She wanted to go see a kitten, and, at our appointment on Friday, we agreed we were going to adopt Sprite," Mark said.
However, while the couple were meeting the kitten, his brother kept demanding attention from the poster's wife and climbing on her leg, so they also adopted Frodo and became a four-cat house again.
"Almost immediately, we regretted leaving one kitten behind. We discussed that, if no one had adopted him in two weeks, we would reach out again. But we are such softies for kitties that we barely made it through the weekend," Mark said.
"My wife called the shelter again on Monday and made an appointment to pick up the last kitten Tuesday after work. As soon as he got back with his brothers, it was like they had never been separated," Mark added.
"They have been snuggling, playing, and wrestling for the last day. It's been a blast to see them all back together. Our biggest regret is making him be all alone for those four days."
Adopting animals from shelters has never been more important. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) says that almost 3 million homeless cats entered U.S. shelters in 2024, and, of those, only 2.2 were adopted.
About 362,000 were returned to their owner or the field, and, of those left, 369,000 were transferred to other organizations, and another 273,000 were euthanized.
Animals in shelter are often euthanized for lack of space, because intake numbers are higher than available spots. Adopting an animal from a shelter will not only save their life, but will also make space to host another homeless pet, which may otherwise be euthanized.
The newest member of the family, Loki, rests on a towel.
The newest member of the family, Loki, rests on a towel.
u/EvergreenHulk
The video quickly went viral on social media and has so far received over 20,000 upvotes and 240 comments on the platform.
One user, AffectionateMemory82, commented: "No kittens left behind! I love this. Congratulations Loki and your brothers! Is one of them named Thor by chance?"
RolandLWN posted: "I did that, and went back twice until I'd adopted the entire litter of five. I started out adopting two, then felt bad about their two siblings left behind so I went back for another two.
"Then a month later someone returned the fifth one who had been adopted before I adopted the two sets. I was thrilled to be able to go and get her and bring her home to her four siblings! And she knew them immediately!"
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